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Report: Cowboys nearing deal with Sam

(SportsNetwork.com) - Michael Sam is scheduled to meet with the Dallas Cowboys Wednesday with the expectation of joining the team's practice squad, multiple media outlets have reported.

ESPN reported that the Cowboys have lined up a physical for Sam, the NFL's first openly gay active player who was waived by the St. Louis Rams over the weekend, and plan to add the defensive end to one of their remaining practice- squad spots as long as he passes the exam.

According to NFL.com, Cowboys executives spent much of Tuesday talking with Dallas players to gauge their reaction if Sam was a member of the team.

Sam, a seventh-round pick of St. Louis in this year's draft who publicly declared his homosexuality prior to February's scouting combine, did not make the Rams' final roster when Saturday's final cuts were released. With defensive end one of the Rams' deepest positions, the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year also did not receive a spot on the club's 10-man practice squad after clearing waivers.

On the other hand, the Cowboys currently have their share of health concerns along the defensive line. Veteran end Anthony Spencer is coming off microfracture knee surgery that limited him to just one game last season, while promising rookie DeMarcus Lawrence will miss at least the first half of the 2014 campaign after he broke his foot early in training camp.

The Cowboys listed Lawrence, a second-round pick in this year's draft, as the team's designated to return player on injured reserve Tuesday. He will be ineligible to play in Dallas' first eight games by receiving that distinction.

Defensive end Jack Crawford, waived by Oakland on Saturday, was signed to take Lawrence's place on the 53-man roster. The two-year veteran had 15 tackles in 15 games with the Raiders last season.

Sam stated his case to make the Rams' active roster with a strong preseason in which he compiled 11 tackles and three sacks in four games. The former Missouri standout led St. Louis with six tackles in the preseason finale against Miami.